Day 2 prompt - Taste: Sour (200 words)
"Food," she said, putting down a plate on the patio of the old house. The lieutenant took a glimpse and noticed what was on it—though they looked more like rice haphazardly lumped together, they were indeed rice balls.
He didn't say anything about the shoddy work and even felt a bit guilty for allowing her to make food. Shoukaku had been insistent about it, despite her condition. So he took one and fought the grimace when he had a taste.
The pickled plum inside was, unusually, even more tart than usual— and less salty than how pickled plums should be—made all even more apparent by the bland, unsalted rice.
He decided he shouldn't complain about it. Food was scarce after the war, and anything they could have was welcome.
Shoukaku watched just as silently before having one herself, the rice sticking into the bandages wrapped around her hands.
"Hush. I'm changing them later anyway," she said and, with some difficulty, raised the food toward her mouth for a bite. She promptly paused after that—unlike him, she did grimace over the taste. But even then, it didn't last for long, to be replaced with a dry smile.
"...Where did you get those pickled plums?" she asked.
"At the market. Not many selections were there at that time, and most were of poor quality, so I had to get what was left. I couldn't even get some salt."
"Ah, I see. But...but I can't help but think how appropriate this is. How we deserve this," she paused again, seemingly about to take another bite but then deciding against it. He could see tears forming in her eyes.
"This is not a punishment for you and me," he devoured the rest of his rice ball. "It's just life. This will pass."
Shoukaku allowed the tears to fall as she nodded. She continued eating even through the overpowering sourness, knowing it won't overtake her. She wouldn't allow it to.
